Mechanism for setting fuses within guns



Jun 7 1927.

e J. c. KARNES MECHANISM FOR SETTING FUSES WITHIN GUNS Filed April s, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet i 81cm neg n 7 1927. y e J. c. KARNES MECHANISM FOR SETTING FUSES WITHIN GUNS Filed Aprii s. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 reamed June 7, 1927.

its

PzENT ease,

JAMES C. KARNES, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

MECHANISM FOR SETTING FUSES WITHIN GUNS. I

- Application filed,Apri1 3, 1925; Serial No. 20,537.

(GRANTED UNDER run ACT or MARCH 3. 1883; a srann 625.

flight of the projectile. computation of the firing data, setting the fuse, and loading and firing the round. The probability of error increases proportionately with the total elapsed time, for which allowance must be made, between the observed position and the future position of the target. The elimination or reduction to a minimum of certain of these time factors will consequently iiicrease the eflicacy of fire.

In present practice, the fuse on the projectile is set to the announced fuse range prior to loading the round in the gun. According to this invention, however, it is contemplated to mechanically set the fuse after the round has been loaded in the gun and the breech block closed for firing.

The actuating mechanism of my improved apparatus is so mounted that the index wheel may be operated manually or may be coupled to a fire control apparatus by which the equivalent of fuse range is automatically and continuously introduced into the mechanism. The actuating mechanism is further so constructed that after. the index wheel is adjusted to the required range the setting gear may be functioned without reference to the index scales.

To these and other ends, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of elements, described hereinafter and pointed out in the claims forming a. part of this specification.

A practical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the breech end of a gun equipped with my improved fusesetting apparatus;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the actuating mechanism;

Figs. 3 and 4: are views in side elevation thereof showing the setting gear respectively in normal inoperative position a idoperative position Fig. 5 is a detail view of the index wheel;

and v Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively end and views of the Worn shaft casing. V

Referring to the drawings by numerals .of reference: i

There is shown at 5 a gun barrel having any suitable breech closure, that herein shown being a swinging block 6 having the side usual firing pin 7 and hammer In this instance, the block is formed with a recess 9 in its forward periphery to perinitdispo'sition of one elementof the actuating mechanism of the fusesetter. This element consists of a beveled pinion 10 fast on a shaft 11 passing through the breech ring 5 of the barrelv and carrying an external spur gear 12. A spring 13 surrounding the shaft is interposed between the spur 12 and the gun for normall holding the pinion 10 in inoperative position where it will not interferewith' loading of a round of ammunition or extraction of the empty case as will appear more clearly hereinafter. minates in a knob 11" whereby the shaft may be moved inwardlyagainst the action ofth'e spring.

Rotation of the shaft 11 is effected. by

means of a setting gear 14 mounted on a shaft 15 fixed in the gun forwardly of the shaft 11, the spur pinion 12 being of sufficient width as to always be in mesh with the setting gear irrespective of the movement of the shaft '11. The setting gear is provided with a handle 16 and a projectingstopfinger 17, the purpose of which will presently be described. A torsion spring 18 anchored to. the gun 5 and setting gear serves to restore the setting gear to normally maintain the stop finger at a fixed zeroposition. v

Mounted on the hub of the setting gear,

between it and the gun, is an index worm wheel 19- whose diameter is slightly greater The shaft 11 teiithan that of the setting gear so that a marginally disposed index lug 20 may extend across the periphery of the setting gear and be positioned in the path of rotation of the stop finger 17 and for the additional reasonof rendering visible a marginal scale 21 graduated in values of fuse range, as shown, or seconds time of flight. The index wheel rotates in a direction opposite to that of the setting gear. a

The index is movable through a self-lock ing worm 22 mounted in a casing 23 whose outer plate or side is. inscribed with. an index line 24 and on either side thereof with a corrector scale 25. The lower portion of the casing is provided with a zero stop 26 against respective sides of which the stop finger 17 on, the setting gear and the index lug 20 on the wheel engage when the mechanism is. in a position of rest at maximum range.

A hand. wheel 27, on the worm shaft 22 which is provided for manual operation of the device may be removed so that the shaft may be coupled to. a fire control apparatus through which, movement equivalent to the valueof fuse range maybe automatically and continuously introduced into the mechanism to position the index wheel.

VYith the announced fuse range as indicat edv on the index scale 21 set in register with the index line24c the index lug 20 will be so positioned with respect to the zero stop 26 that when the finger 17 of the setting gear 14 contacts the index lug the setting gear will. have actuated the'level 'iinion 10 to communicateihe required adjustment to a fuse.

The rounds of. ammunition are especially designed to cooperate with the actuating mecllilnisn'i because of the position of the fuse with respect tothc breech block. As herein shown, the round'includes a standard projectile 28 carried by a cartridge case- 29 andequipped witha base time fuse 30 of any suitable type including a rotatable positioning element The base of the cartridge case is formed with a,soclret 29 for receivingthe hub'of a-bevel gear 31' rotatably mounted in said base and, adapted to mesh with. the pinion 10. A 1'odj32 extending axially of the case is fixed to the gear 31 and has its forward end loosely keyed in the positioning element of the fuse so thatthe rotation of the gear 31 may be impartedthrough the rod to set the fuse.

For properly igniting the propellant charge in the cartridge case, a percussion primer'33 is carried by the gear 31', the

flame from the primer being conducted throng-ha passage 34 and vent holes $15 in the rear end of the rod.

In the positionof rest shown in Figures 1 and 3, the pinion 1O isin inoperative position to permitloading of the round into the chamber, the settinggear is at Zero and'the index wheellug20 may be positioned at any point withrespect to the index. line 24;.

In operation, the roundis loaded in the chamber and the block closed ready for firing. Upon announcement of the required fuse range, the index wheel 19 isrevolved by means of the worm 22 until the range as indicated on the range scale2l registers with the index line 24, at which time, the index lug has assumed the correct circumferential position with relation to the zero stop 26.

Corrections to be included in the range to time element of the fuse according .to the announced fuse range as registered on the range scale 21 by the index line 24.. Upon release of the setting gearit is restored to its normal zero position through. the spring 18, while the spring 13 disengages the pinion 9 from the gear 31.

.VVhile the application of. the invention is shown in connection with a base time fuse, it is pointed out that a nose fuse may equallv well be employed, the rod 32 extending through the projectile or imparting its movement to a second rod secured to the positioning element of the fuse and forming a part of the projectile.

If desired, the mechanism for imparting rotation to the cartridge gear 31 might be carried by the breech block instead of the gun barrel.

While in the foregoing there has been illustrated and described such combination and arrangement of elements as constitute the preferred embodiment of my invention, it nevertheless desired to emphasize the fact. that interpretation of the invention should only be conclusive when made in the light of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. Means for setting a fuse within a gun embodying a shaft passing through the breech endof' the gun, a bevel pinion on the inner end of the shaft and a spur pinion on the outer end, means for normally holding the bevel pinion in inoperative position, a stub Shaft carried exteriorly by the gun, a setting gear on said shaft meshingwith the spur pinion, a spring for restoring saidgear to initialjposition, a projecting stop linger on the gear, an index worm wheelrotatably mounted between the gun and the settii'i g gear, said wheel provided with a marginal scale graduated in values corresponding to fuserange. a marginal index lug on the wheel projecting across the setting gear to be positioned in the path of the stop finger,

a Worm meshingwith the Wheel, means for actuating the worm, a casing in which the worm is mounted, a zero stop on said casing disposed in the path of the stop finger, an index line and corrector scale on the casing adapted for registering with the fuse range scale, and means carried by a fused cartridge and adapted to be actuated by the bevel pinion to set the fuse of said cartridge,

said means includii'ig a bevel gear rotatably mounted. on the base of the cartridge case, and a rod fixed to the gear and extending axially of the case.

2. Means for setting a fuse within a gun embodying a shaft passing through the breech end of a gun, a beveled pinion on the inner end of the shaft and a spur pinion on the outer end, means for normally holding the beveled pinion in inoperative position, a stub shaft carried exteriorly by the gun, a setting gear on said shaft meshing with the spur pinion, a spring for restoring said gear to initial posit-ion, a projecting stop finger on the gear. an index worm wheel rotatably mounted between the gun and the setting-gear, said Wheel provided with a marginal scale graduated in values corresponding to fuse range, a marginal index lug on the wheel projecting across the setting gear to be positioned in the path of the stop finger, a worm meshing with the wheel, meansfor actuating the worm, a casing in Whi ch the worm is mounted, a zero stop on said casing disposed in the path of the stop finger, an index line and col-rector scale on the casing adapted for registering with the fuse range scale, and means carried by a fused cartridge and adapted to be actuated by the bevel pinion to set the fuse of said cartridge.

3. Means for setting a fuse Within a gun embodying a shaft passing through the gun, and having an internal and an external pinion, a rotatably mounted setting gear meshing with the external pinion, means for restoring said gear to initial position after it has been moved, a stop finger on the gear, an index wheel having a lug positioned in the path of the stop finger, a fuse setting scale on the wheel, means for moving and locking the wheel an index against which the fuse setting scale may be read, a zero stop positioned in the path of the stop finger, and means carried by a fused cartridge and adapted to be controlled by the internal pinion to set the fuse of said cartridge, said means including a bevel gear rotatably mounted on the base of the cartridge case and a rod fast to the gear and extending axially of the case.

l. Means for setting a fuse within a gun embodying a shaft passing through the gun, and having an internal and an {external pinion, a rotatably mounted setting gear meshing with the external pinion, means for restoring said gear to initial position after it has been moved, a stop finger on the gear, an index Wheel having a lug positioned in the path of the stop finger, a fuse setting scale on the Wheel, means for moving and locking the wheel, an index against which the fuse setting scale may be read, a zero stop positioned in the path of the stop finger, and. means carried by a fused. cartridge and adapted to be controlled. by the internal pinion to set the fuse of said. cartridge.

5. Means for setting a fuse Within a gun. embodying members mounted exterior-1y of a gun, one member being an index scale wheel having a stop adapted to be positioned with respect to a reading point angular amounts corresponding to values of' fuse range, the other member being a setting wheel having a stop finger normally positioned at a Zero point and movable to contact the stop. an element passing to the interior of the gun and rotatably driven by the setting wheel, and means carried by a fused cartridge and adapted to be controlled by said element to set the fuse of the cartridge, said means including a rotatable rod extendi n g axially of the cartridge.

6. Means for setting a fuse within a gun embodying members mounted exterior-1y of a gun, one member being an index scale wheel having a stop adapted to be positioned.

with respect to a reading point angular amounts corresponding to values of fuse range, the other member being a setting wheel. having a stop linger normally positioned at a zero point and movable to contact the stop, an element passing to the interior of the gun and rotatably driven by the setting wheel, and means carried by a fused cartridge and adapted to be controlled by said element to set the fuse of the cartridge.

7. Means for setting a fuse Within a gun embodying members mounted exteriorly of a gun, one member being an index scale Wheel having a stop adapted to be positioned with respect to a reading point angular amounts corresponding to values of fuse range, the other member being a setting wheel having a stop finger normally positioned at a zero point and movable to contact the stop, and means actuated by the set ting wheel for setting the fuse of a cartridge loaded in the gun.

8. Means for setting a fuse within a gun embodying a setting Wheel mounted exteriorly of a gun and normally in position of rest at a zero point, means counter-movable with respect to the wheel angular amounts corresponding to values of fuse range and adapted to limit movement of the setting wheel, an element passing to the interior of the gun and rotatably driven by the setting wheel, and means carried by a fused cartridge and adapted tobe controlled by said element to set the fuse of the cartridge.

9; Means for setting a fuse Within a gun embodying asetting Wheel mounted exteriorly of a gun, means movable angular amounts corresponding to values of fuse range and adapted to limit movement of the setting Wheel, an element passing tothe interior of the gun and rotatably driven by the setting Wheel, and means carried by a fused cartridge and adapted to be controlled by said element to set the fuse of the cartridge.

10. Means for setting a fuse Within a gun embodying a setting" Wheel mounted exteriorly of a gun, means movable angular amounts corresponding to values of fuse range and adapted to'limitmovement of the setting Wheel; and means actuated by the setting Wheel for setting the fuse of acartridge loaded in the gun.

11. Means for setting a fuse within a gun embodying a setting Wheel mounted exteriorly of a gun'and-normally in a position of rest at a zero point, adjustably positioned means for limiting the Wheel to a movement proportionate to the fuse range, and means actuated by the setting Wheel for setting the fuse of a cartridge loaded in the gun.

12. Means for setting a fuse Within a gun embodying a setting Wheel mounted exteriorly of. a gun, adjustably positioned means for limiting the Wheel to amovement proportionate to the fuse range, and means actuated by the setting wheel for setting the fuse of a cartridge loadedain the gun.

13. Means for setting-.afuse Withina gun embodying a member positioned ext'eiiorly of a gun and adapted to be rotated proportionately to fuse range, a rotatable element carried by a cartrldge loaded in the gun and connected to the fuse of the cartridg'e and means operatively connected to the external member for transmitting the movement of said external member to the rotatable element of the cartridge, said means being normally disengaged from the rotatable element.

14;. In a gun having a breech closure, means for settingafuse Within the gun embodying a member passing through the breech ring of the gun forwardly of the breech closure and means for normally holding said member clear of the path of a round movable intoand out of the chamber ofthe gun.

15. Ina gun having a breech closure, means for setting a fuse within the gun, embodying a member movable proportionately to fuse range and passing through the breech ring of the gun directly in front of the breech closure.

16. In a gun having a breech closure, means for setting a fuse Witliinthe gun, enibodying amember passing through the breech ring of the gun directly in front of the breech closure.

17. In a gun having a breech closure, means for setting a fuse within the gun, embodying a member passing through the breech ring of the gun.

JAMES C. KARNE S. 

